Conference Summary

The contemporary art world is undergoing a dramatic change. Against this backdrop, the latest in the ongoing series of the Banff International Curatorial Institute (BICI) conferences, Trade Secrets will re-focus the collective discussion about the curatorial profession by exploring specific issues regarding: the education of curators; the challenges facing collection-based curators; trends in curatorial research; and the writing of curatorial histories. It is commonly understood that the art market is leading the field and in turn legitimating what is significant with respect to the new, rather than the critics and curators who traditionally held sway. Paradoxically, while this power dynamic is widely acknowledged, there is a huge growth in the number of graduate curatorial programs and the contemporary art community has come to put an increased emphasis on exhibitions, and curators.

At this significant juncture, Trade Secrets: Education/Collection/History will critically examine the state of curatorial practice today. By bringing influential museum professionals, independent curators, educators, critics, students, and visual artists into dialogue, Trade Secrets will illuminate and identify strategies for the future.

This conference is made possible through the generous support of the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, The Kahanoff Foundation, Ontario College of Art & Design, the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, Hart House, University of Toronto, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Jarislowsky Master Artist Program Fund.

All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of The Banff Centre.